Wheel cover



Jan. 10, 1950 s. A. LYON WHEEL COVER Filed May 12, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Jan. 10, 1950 LYON I 2,493,767

WHEEL COVER Filed May l2, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 ZZTVEF'IZZQT'" 650.96: /74 85,422" Z m/v.

Jam 10, 1950 Filed May 12, 1945 G. A. LYON 2,493,767

WHEEL COVER 5 Sheets-Sheet s 2 gr. 6, F1" 5;; 7

s I I 50 i 52 v in 5 8/ MI "'83 i fmramfcn 6150065 flLeEer Lraw latented Jan. 10, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT mage? OFFICE 11 Claims.

This invention relates to a wheel cover structure and more particularly to a combination plastic and metal cover adapted for use in the covering and ornamenting of an outer side of an automobile wheel.

A first object of this invention is to provide a greatly strengthened and reinforced plastic cover for an outer side of an automobile wheel.

Another object of this invention is to provide a disc-like plastic cover with a reinforcing intermediate ring adapted to engage retaining means on the wheel so as to relieve the plastic cover of undue stress and strain.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a plastic wheel cover with simple but effective retaining means for holding it on a wheel.

In accordance with the general features of this invention there is provided in a cover structure for a wheel including a tire rim and a body part having centrally arranged cover retaining means, a circular wheel cover of resiliently pliable material self-sustaining as to form and resiliently deflectable without permanent deformation, said cover including radially inner and outer divergent portions connected by a series of transversely curved portions and a curved metal ring on the rear side of the cover for cooperation with the retaining means on the wheel and embracing at least one of said curved cover portions for reinforcing the cover at the junction of its radially inner and outer divergent portions.

Another feature of the invention relates to the forming of the junction between the radially inner and outer portions of the aforesaid cover of a cross-section generally approximating an s in shape and utilizing at least one of the legs of the S to hold the curved metal reinforcing and retaining ring on the cover.

Still another feature of the invention relates to the provision in the aforesaid cover of an outer metal annular bead snapped into the junction of the radially inner and outer portions of the cover for assisting in reinforcing the cover at its area of engagement by the cover retaining means on the wheel.

Other objects and features ofthis invention will more fully appear from the following detaileddescription taken in connection with the accompanying drawings which illustrate a single embodiment thereof and in which Figure 1 is a fragmentary side view of a wheel structure having one form of my cover applied thereto;

' Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary cross sectional'view taken on substantially the line II--II of Figure 1 looking in the direction indicated by the arrows;

Figure 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken through a portion of the cover as shown in Figure 2;

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary crosssectional view similar to Figure 2 illustrating a modified form of structure;

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary cross sectional view similar to Figure 2 of still another form of the invention;

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary cross sectional view similar to Figure 2 showing a further form; and

Figure 7 is an enlarged fragmentary cross sectional view similar to Figure 6 showing a different form of cover retaining means on the wheel body part.

As shown in the drawings:

In the accompanying drawings I have illustrated a number of different forms of plastic covers applied to slightly different wheel structures. In every case, however, the wheel structure embraces a conventional automobile tire and tube 9 mounted on a conventional multi-flanged drop center type of tire rim- I. Since these elements are common to all forms, I shall use the same reference numerals throughout the several figures insofar as these elements are concerned.

In each instance, as it is well known in the art, the tire and tube may have a valve stem 8, as shown in Figure 1, by means of which the tire and tube are inflated. It is also contemplated that this stem if it is a relatively short one may be concealed by a plastic cover, whereas on the other hand, if it is a relatively long one, it may extend through an aperture in the wheel cover as shown in Figure 1. In the event the valve stem is concealed by the cover, it is contemplated that the cover, which in each case is made of plastic material, may be flexed away from the wheel to afford access to the valve stem at the rearthereof without necessitating removal of the cover.

These are features that have already been covered in my issued Patent No. 2,368,254 (issued January 30, 1945).

The principal difference in the several formsback upon the main body of the clip and facing radially outwardly.

Cooperable with the wheel structure for 'substantially covering an outer side of the body and rim parts, is a cover designated generally 'b y the reference character 26 and which with the-exception of the reinforcing rings 'tdbehe'reih'after described, is made of a suitable plastic material. Excellent results may b attained by making this cover;-Fas 'well :as *any of the jcovers of *the-forms to be hereinafter described, of a plastic such as ethyl cellulose; vinyl resin etc. 7

- The :cover 20-comprises radially inner and outer concentric but generally divergent portions 2i.

and-22 connected by a turned junction 23.

The-inner or centraltcover portion 2| is formed at its center into a crow-nishape so as to simulate a hub; o,ap. *I'he-outerpQrtion'H extends radially and"'axiallyiinwardlyirom {an outer turned edge 24 to the turned junction portion 23. This outer portion; as is trueinthe-pase :of all the forms 25 of the cover opposite the backing afforded by the edge portion 30 of the inner reinforcing ring 21. 1

In the assembling of the cover, the bead is aligned with the intermediate junction 23 and is then pressed axially home into the position shown in Figure 3 where it is self-retained on the cover. The bead 28 may be given any lustrous finish and if it is so desired may be made of stainless' steel. This enabl'es every highly desirable *color 'effect,particularly ifthe portions 2| and 22 are made in contrasting colors.

In the application of the cover to the wheel,

as is-true in all forms of the invention, the cover is first placed over the side of the Wheel until its '"outerturned' edge 24 engages the outer edge of the inher'reinforcing ring 21 deflects the spring of my invention;- isrof suchEradia-l depth and curva- 'ture and in such close proximity to the outer sidewall-of--:the -tire;that;--inuse; it will appear to :eonstit'ute ayradially-iinnen :partofthe the wall." eiTect-can be accentuated if this outer portion is given a white external finish in which event it will, in use;app:ear;to :constitute a white side wall-part ofjthe-tire' 9 thereby giving the tire a-'=massive looking-appearance. V

The"GUTIIEdJPOEtiOHZQEISQ hasformed integrally with it a-doublecurved portion-25 whichdefines a radially outwardly "projectingrannular rib 26. In -real ity,--the turned portion 25 is of a generally s-s-h-aped cross-section so as-to enable interlock-' i-ngcf the twometal ringsrflliiand 28 therewith on opposite sides of the-cover 20.

The inner-;rneta;l ring -2- l ;ha's a radially-outwardly pro-jecting 'rib 29 whichprojectsinto the groovedefined -byandon;the inner side of the cover'rib 26. -i The ring -2 l als o includes a curved portion 3!] conformingclosely to --t-he curvature of the coverportion- 25 -so as to back up and reinforce the samelatthe: areawhere the cover is rto-be retained. The other-and rear edge of the-ring 2?:is turned or c-urledg -as shown at 31, thus defining a -rein-forcedshoulder or edge-for retaining -cooperation;with the free extremities IS of thespring clips-I5.

' The "ring 2'lfis. snappedin'to the cover from the. rearsidezthereof and-is self-retained in the groove of "the" 'cover zrib '26. ;'Ihis'- snap on action is-permitted -by' the *naturaladnherent resiliency of the plasticiihate'rialein themain' 'cover'- 20; The outer ring 28 is in the form' of a hollowbead having 'urfclerturhed'marginal edges -32 and 33. The edge 3'2-us sliglitly 'inclined iand'is adapted to be=:carnmed over the coveririb 26 into-retained cooperation the'rback s'idi'of the same. It should also be noted that thlS ti1TI1d"0l1tI" edge clips I5 radially inwardly to an extent suflicient toenable the edge 3 l to be wedged'tightly between the '-free*:extremities -I6-of-thecl-ips and the depressed --portion -l3--'-of the wheel b'ody -partas shown in Figure 2. V g 7 When in this position the cover is *heldin" tensioned "engagement at-its outer edge2'4 with the tire rim I 0 and atits flu-notion portion-23 with-the body part 12.

An advantage of-this structure is that-the resiliency-of the 'material of -the cover may "be utilized 1 to "accommodate manufacturing: variations-in-the rimand'bodyparts of thewheel so that the cover can self-adjustitsel-ftothese parts. Moreover; the retaining pressure exerted by'the sprihg clips 1sapplied" directly-to the imetal ring 21 rather "than tothe-iuaterial of the-'cover'i-fl thereby *relieving the cover pf undue "stress and pressure'tending to distort or damage thesame. 1

Thisis' tru'epfall the forms of the; invention wherein an inner reinforcing ring a is "employed for -this"'purpose. Moreoverp'ir1 'each' 'case the outer" bead ser'v s to as'sist in reinforcing the cover at" ej'unction ofthe'fradial inner and-outer arties and dirctIy o'ppos' e'the area atwhich he"eqyer ietaimng pfessur i's-applied.

44 also has h'ub cap or "coverretaining' "spring inforcing 'in'tal "rings 51 "again.

The inner metal ringi s l :has -its, outer inargin formed into opposite z a urved portions 53for tightlyembracing the similarly curved junction of-theptwo cover--portiohs lfland 4g. It will be notedarge-in ;here that -the-rcross section of this curve-generally resembles an :so that the outer margin of the ring 51 can be interlockedwith the resilientmaterialof --the-;pl astic cover 50. The inner ring -5 -la;lso=inal-udes a fiattenedinterrnediate portion 54' -un'derlying apart of theradialinner cover portion 4-9 -and ierminates-in a'zgenerally axially extendingleg -55- having; a -cur'ved .-i nner mar'ginwfit for nesting-engagement with the nose 32 df atheibea d ZBTi'sPbQttomedin itheturned-juncisia'dapted it'o' tightly hmbracethecurved portion W of the body-1.-pa-r t-3. The extreme inner-edge of the ring is slightly curled at 51 to reinforce the samezand to-qarovideaishoulder for retainingficooperation with that springasl'i-ps i4 5 in muchthe same manner as the edge 3| cooperates with the clips IS in the first form.

The outer metal ring 52 is formed in the shape of a hollow bead and closely resembles the bead 28. It is applied in substantially the same way as the bead 28 and serves the same purpose as that of the head 28.

The operation and use of this part of the cover is substantially the same as that of the previous one.

In Figure 5, the body part 62 of the wheel is" again of a slightly difierent contour and includes a depressed annular shoulder 63 defining an annular seat for the whel cover designated generally by the reference character 10. The body part 62 also has a radially extending bolt-on flange 64 to which is attached a plurality of spring clips 65 which are similar to the previously described hub cap or cover retaining clips.

The plastic cover includes radially inner and outer portions 68 and 69 joined by a turned intermediate portion H adapted to seat in the annular depression 63 of the body part.

The junction portion 63 of this plastic cover 10 is reinforced by radially inner and outer metal rings 12 and 13 which perform substantially the same purpose as that of the previously described rings.

The inner ring 12 has an annular bead l4 snapped into a bead in the plastic cover at the junction H. In this form, as distinguished from the previous one, the spring clips are adapted toengage the bead portion 14 of the ring 12 for the purpose of holding the cover on the seat 63. Moreover, in this case, instead of metal to metal contact, the turned portion H of the cover 78 is held against the metal body part in the annular seat 83.

The outer ring or bead I3 is similar to the previously described rings 28 and 52 with the exception that it is corrugated to enhance its appearance.

Now referring to the form shown in Figure 6, it will be perceived that it closely follows the form of Figure 4 with the principal exception that the inner reinforcing ring comprises two nested sections instead of a single section. Moreover, the same reference numerals are employed in this form as are used in Figure 4 to designate parts common to the two figures. The plastic cover is designated generally by the reference charac-, ter 5!! and includes radially outer and inner divergent portions 48-49 having nested and re-v tained in their junction the outer ornamental ring or bead 52.

The inner side of the junction of the cover is reinforced by a metal ring 80 which is generally of an S shape cross section and tightly conforms with the inner contour of the cover. This ring 88, however, terminates short of the center of the wheel and a separate ring 8| is employed for holding the cover in retained cooperation with the spring clips 45.

This separate metal ring 8| has its outer margin 82 formed into a tortuous shape so as to be resiliently nested on the radially inner side of the ring 88 thereby interlocking it to the cover. The inner margin of the ring8l is turned at 83 to form a shoulder for snap on detachable engagement with the spring clips 45. With the exception of the two piece inner ring structure for reinforcing the cover this form of the invention is substantially identical to the form shown in Fi ure 1.

In Figure *7 the body part 85 of the wheel is of a substantially different construction than that of the previously described wheels. In this form the body part has an axially bulged nose 88 defining a radially outwardly facing annular shoulder 8'! having formed thereon a plurality of circumferentially spaced protuberances 88 for retaining the cover on the wheel. The cover 58 is substantially identical to the cover shown in Figure 6 with the exception that the separate retaining ring 81 is omitted. In lieu thereof the inner retaining ring 8|] is snapped over and into retained engagement with the protuberances 88 to hold the cover on the wheel and against the shoulder 81.

The outer annular head 52 is the same as the previously described beads and serves the same purpose.

In all forms of the invention the cover is applied by pressing it home axially into retained engagement with the retaining elements on the wheel irrespective of whether these are spring clips or spaced protuberances. all forms the cover may be removed by pulling it off of the wheel or by flexing its outer margin away from the wheel and inserting a pry-off tool therebehind to engage between the junction portion of the cover and the body part to forcibly pry the cover off the wheel. That is to say, the outer radial portion of each of the plastic covers can be pulled slightly away from the wheel to an extent suificient to permit of the insertion of a pry ofi" tool such as a screw driver therebehind.

Needless to say upon release of the deflecting pressure the outer portion of the cover will of ..its own accord spring back to substantially its a tire rim and a body part having cover retaining means, a circular wheel cover of resiliently pliable material self-sustaining as to form and resiliently defiectable without permanent deformation, said cover having radially inner and outer concentric r portions for disposition over the tire rim and body part and having at their junction a substantially radially outwardly projecting annular rib defining an annular groove on the rear side of the cover, a reinforcing ring of more rigid material having a radially outwardly projecting rib portion snapped into said groove to retain the ring on the rear side of the cover and also having a shoulder portion for engagement by said retaining means tohold the cover on the wheel, and an outer rein- 6 forcing ring engaging the cover at the axially inner side of the rib and clamping it against the first mentioned ring.

cover having radially inner and outer concentric portions for disposition over the tire rim and body part and having at their junction a substantially radially outwardly projecting annular material having a radially outwardly projecting rib portionsnapped into said groove to retain the In addition, in

ine, naidrbead'inelnding nnoLunderturnedimana ringnnithe .rear: side aoisthe oovenand alsdhaving asrshouldnportionzior iengagementl-by said retaiuingrm-eans .to 1holdizthewccverzzonthevwheel, and an outer reiniorcingflringaengag-ing:the cover at' the;axially;inner .side aoflthe :rib. and :clamping l 2 it lag'ainstxthe-rfirst mentioned'sring, tsaid radially outer. cover portion: rextend n'ig: generally radially and-axiallyrinwardly from;.an. outer edge ofzthe tire- :rim'to. said: junotionedirectlyeover lthabody nartzof-thelwheel; 1-10 .3.- 111a; covenzstructure tor a wheel including a tire :rimeand 1a: hodyipart having cover-retainingz'means; a. circularrwheel :CQVGLJOf resiliently pliable .wmat'eriall self-.esustadning. as to. form and resiliently 1. deflectazble iiWithOlltiliDGBHlBJlBIlt; de-i formation, saidrnoyer having rradiallyinnen and outer concentric portions for disposition over the tiresrim :andubody part nndlhavingat:-their .ijnnction a:substantiallyradiallynutwardly :proj ecting annular rib: definin ;an. annular groove on the reansidez-of the cover; a reinforcingring-of more rigid; material; having a radially outwardly pro- J'ecting lribw ortionrsnapped .cintoxsaidigrooveeto retaindzhe-sring en the ztearside of; the cover .and also'zhaving; a. shoulden: portion .for-engagement bysaid retaining meansrto hold the :cover .on the Wheel,-saidlring'having between saidribtandsaid shoulder: portions a bulged'rflattened portion .engaging. therearside 10f the radially inner portion OfjthewCQVerftO back up. and reinforce the same and a circular. member -retain ing-lyengaging over the ou-ter'side of-saidriblandxclamping' the cover to fiaid reinforcingring.

14.111 atcover: structure for a 'wheel-includin a tire land abodyxpart having cover retaining-rmeans; a circular wheel cover lof -resiliently pliable-material self sustaiinigng as toqformand resiliently idefleetable without :permanent '1 deformation, said..'cover having radially inner and outer concentric portions for disposition over the: 40 tirerim rand bodyma-rt and: havin atrtheir junction a substantiallyradially-outwardly proieoting annular rib definingan annularigrooveflnithe rear: side .of the cover,- a reiniorei-ngring ofunore rigid: material having a ;radially outwardly; pro-, jecting rib -portion snapped-intowsaid groove T130 retain; the ringonlthe reariside 0f. :the novernand also having. a shoulder portion l for.- engagement by said-retainingmeans to 'holdthe icoverqon the wheel,=. and an annular -bead 5011' the outer :side, 0f- :the cover extending into rsaidyjunction and retainingly engaging saidnnnular :cover ribato reinforce the cover -on its :outer. side-and oppositesaidring. I

, 5. In a cover structure for; a: wheel includingn attire rim and a bodyparthav-ing-cover retaining means, animular-wheelcover of resiliently-pliable materialself sustainingsas :to-eiormand resiliently deflecta-ble without permanentdeformation, said cover having radially; inner :andaouter concentricall port-ionsi for idisposition .oventhe tire rim and body part and having at theirrjunetionza substantial-lyiradially .outwardlyuprojeeting annular ribrde-fini-ng an annular igroovemnu the :rear side o f, athe cover;- a. reinforoingiring .nfimorerigid :ma-il terial: having a radially :outwardly-projecting:rib DQr iOn-lsnapnedrintoczsaidmgrooye ito lretainuthe ringzon-theirearrside ;of:.the :coverand also having ashoulder Lportionfor :engagement by .saidzretaming: means to hold thezeoverl onw.-the;:wheel wm and an: annular? head on 118::0111'181. .side; :of the cover extending;rintm sadd-junction..-and retaine glyngai saddz annularxoover rib :to rein fqrcetheoovenondts outerside andoppositesam ginahportiomsnazpped overfandlbehindisaidcoverrib in the junction.

:Im a coverizstructure tor. a wheeleincluding I asti-re rim nnda-rbody part havingicentrally arranged hub :cap netainingmeans,.acircular wheel cover soferesiliently.ipliablezmaterial self-sustaining as to form and resiliently deflectable without permanentnzderormation, :said cover 1 including radially-inner nndacmter divergent -portions-..connected by a turned junction portion of generally sishaped cross:lsectionrincluding .two :soppositely QUWECLJ'GES; a owned-metal 'rin ion "the .rear side ofisaidcover for cooperation withzsaid retaining meansand-zretaininglm embracing-at least :one.:of said curved legsior-reinforcinglthe cover atsaid junction, andzan annular beadron the outer side or permanent.deformation,. said cover includin radially. inner. nd-outer; divergent; portions connested-by. a turned junction portion-lof- -generally S shaped rCliOSS-SBG-tiOIl. including {two oppositely curvedlegs, a curvedtmetalpringoonthe rear'side oilsaid ,coverfor cooperation with ,said retaining means. and. .retainin ly-.1embracingcat 4 least one of .said curved legs tor reinforcing ;.the. cover:,.-at said junction, radially inwardly :from'said junction behind. the

. radial. inner portion of the :cover-toreinforce and 7 back up the same and having a turned inner margin providing a shoulder for snap-on cooperation with.said retaining-means, and a circular member n a lngoyer;themouter side .of the cover :at said juncture. .and having. afradially inwardly extendcoverrof resiliently. pliable materialself-sustainingas to form and resiliently .deflectable without permanent deformation, said ..cover including radially-inner and outer'divergentlnortions cone nected by a turned junction portion ofv generally S-shaped, cross ,sectionincluding two. oppositely curved legs, one oisaid le s..afiordi a rib projecting substantiallyradially outwardly in the-junetion-marginof said inner cover portion, a

curvedmetalring on the reansideofsaid cover for cooperationwith said retaining meansand retainingly engaging in said; one curved legior reinforcingthe cover at saidfliunction and .an

annular bead 0n the .outerside of said cover. in said "junctionportion retainingly wedged, axially inwardlynfsaid one .curved 16 rib forreinforclugthe outer side ,of.'the cover at said junction.

* =9.-Ina cover"structure for a. wheel including cover retaining means, a circular wheel cover .of resilientlypliablematerial self-sustaining as to form-andresiliently' deflectazble without permanent'deformation, saidcover including radially inner and outer divergent portions connected by an turned junction portion of generally S=shaped cross section, a metal reinforcing ring of gen-' said ring extending generally.

erally S-shaped cross section complementary to the cross section of said junction portion and internested with said junction portion at the inner side of the cover and includingmeans for cooperation with said cover retaining means, and means engaging said junction portion at the outer side of the cover and acting to retain the junction portion in internested relation with said S-shaped reinforcing ring.

10. A cover structure for a wheel including cover retaining means, a circular wheel cover of resiliently pliable material including radially inner and outer divergent portions connected by an axially inwardly extending junction portion, a reinforcing ring engaging said junction portion at the inner side of the cover, a second reinforcing ring engaging said junction portion at the outer side of the cover and cooperating with said inner reinforcing ring to retain said junction portion and inner reinforcing ring assembled, and a third ring assembled with said inner reinforcing ring and including means for engagement with said cover retaining means.

11. In a cover structure for a wheel including cover retaining means, a circular wheel cover of resiliently pliable material including radially inner and outer divergent Portions having an axially inwardly projecting junction portion, said radially outer cover portion being resiliently flexible axially away from the wheel for access behind the outer cover portion but being resiliently returnable to original position when released from the deflecting force, a reinforcing member engaging the inner side of the junction portion and including means for engagement with said cover retaining means, said junction portion and said reinforcing member including internested generally radially outwardly ribbed portions, and an outer reinforcing member engaging within the outer side of said junction portion axially inwardly of the junction portion rib to maintain the cover and reinforcing members in assembly and also engaging the junction portion at substantially the opposite side of the junction at the radially inward junction margin of said radially outer cover portion.

GEORGE ALBERT LYON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date D. 141,508 Lyon June 5, 1945 D. 141,509 Lyon June 5, 1945 1,234,387 Pugh et al. July 24, 1917 1,948,273 Lyon Feb. 20, 1934 2,022,128 Lyon Nov. 26, 1935 2,148,210 Lyon Feb. 21, 1939 2,193,106 Lyon Mar. 12, 1940 

